Residents rally to stop Mount Dairy Farm homes

THE CAMPAIGN to stop 220 homes being built on Mount Dairy Farm has stepped up a gear as the deadline for the application looms.

Residents and campaigners in Cheswick Green have been ramping up their protest against Bloor Homes’ plans that are due to be heard by Council Planning Chiefs next month.

The plans, which were refused in January by planning bosses, have been re-submitted by developers after Solihull Council was forced to do a U-turn on its Local Development Plan (LDP) after figures showed there was a shortfall in the number of houses to be built over the coming five years.

The Council have been forced to open lands ahead of schedule just eight months after the policy, which sets out development of towns, villages and countryside up to 2028, was adopted.

Since the resubmission of the application was handed to the Council residents and campaigners have rallied round once more objecting to the application.

Greg Allport, resident, said many villagers have accepted the land will be built on at some point but in order for the development to be a success the right infrastructure and flood prevention methods should be put in place first.

The application was thrown out by planning chiefs in January because under the LDP the land was not open to be developed on but also for a number of flood-related issues.

Bloor Homes believe it has resolved the flooding issues as they have carried out investigations and have come up with solutions to prevent flooding for the area.

Cheswick Green Parish Council have also been calling on Solihull Council to delay making a decision until an appeal to the High Court has been ruled on.

Chris Noble, chairman for Cheswick Green Parish Council said: “The application is being rushed through the planning process at a time when many people are on holiday; the application was submitted on July 7 and is due to go before the Planning Committee on September 3.”

The Parish Council has written a letter to the Prime Minister voicing concerns over the application as if it is approved it could impact on plans for the area’s Neighbourhood Plan – where communities have a say in the type of development to meet community needs.

A Council spokesperson said decisions need to be made in a timely manner subject to the planning process and based on the Council’s prevailing policy position statement.

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